Asphalt reclaimer

ABSTRACT

A vehicle rides on a front pair and a rear pair of tracks, each pair straddling apparatus for working the upper layer of asphalt of a road as the vehicle is driven forwardly over the road. The apparatus includes means for heating the upper layer of asphalt, a rotating cutter for lifting the heated asphalt, a pugmill for pulverizing the lifted asphalt, a spreader for distributing the pulverized asphalt, and a leveler for leveling the distributed asphalt. Such operations take place continuously as the vehicle is driven forwardly over the road. In addition, the distance between the front pair of tracks and the distance between the rear pair of tracks may be varied to alter the stance of the vehicle.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,843,274

Gutman et al. Oct.22, 1974 1 ASPHALT RECLAIMER 3,361,042 1/1968 Cutler 404/101 x 1 1 Nathan 9mm, Washington; 3:233:23? 18/1338 33181.1;1111;113:3111311111: Dorwin Larsen, OSWegO; Everette 3,598,027 8/1971 Swisher M- Vo le, Mor all o I11. 3,732,023 5/1973 Rank 404/90 [73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor (10., Peoria, 111.

. Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. [22] 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Phillips, Moore, [21] Appl. No.: 292,089 Weissenberger Lempio & Strabala [52] U.S. C1. 404/91 57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. E01c 23/12 [58] Field of Search 404/91 92 93 95 83 A vehlcle a from Paur and a rear P of 4041/84 6 tracks, each pair straddling apparatus for working the upper layer of asphalt of a road as the vehicle is driven [56] References Cited forwardly over the road. The apparatus includes means for heating the upper layer of asphalt, a rotat- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing cutter for lifting the heated asphalt, a pugmill for 2,046,417 7/1936 Talbot 404/92 pulverizing the l f asphalt a sph-eader f0r distribut 2'053709 9/1936 Flynn 404/90 ing the pulverized asphalt, and a leveler for leveling 21:23: the distributed asphalt. Such operations take place 2254463 9/1941 404,95 continuously as the vehicle is driven forwardly over 213 531 H945 S g 404/92 the road. In addition, the distance between the front 2,394,017 2 194 Seaman" 404/95 pair of tracks and the distance between the rear pair 2,747,475 5/1956 West 404/91 of tracks may be varied to alter the stance of the vehi- 2,951,426 9/1960 Pollitz 404/95 cle. 3,055,280 9/1962 Neville 404/95 3,109,353 1 1/1963 Ulrich 404/108 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 6E 76 26 l 12 1a a0 5 ill 1 1 /7 1 I 44 J3 o 28 a 2L! -50 1 U \J \J U \J\ 1 1\ V K PATENTED BET 2 2 I974 SIEET 3% Q W MWW ASPHALT RECLAIMER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to asphalt reclaiming or reworking apparatus, and more particularly, to a vehicle which performs a continuous series of operations on an upper layer of asphalt as the vehicle is driven.

Heretofore, reclaiming or working operations on the upper surface of road asphalt or tarmacadam have been usually undertaken in independent steps (i.e., heating, lifting, etc.). While such reclaiming is generally satisfactory, it is of course quite time consuming and inconvenient to move one machine in for its operation, then move it away and replace it with another machine for another operation, etc. Also, the expense involved with the use of multiple operating vehicles is relatively high. It would clearly be advantageous to provide a single vehicle which is capable of performing a series of working operations on the upper layer of asphalt or tarmacadam in a continuous manner as the vehicle is moved forwardly over the road.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a vehicle which includes apparatus for performing a se ries of working operations on the upper layer of road asphalt or tarmacadam in a continuous manner as the vehicle is driven over the road.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle which, while fulfilling the above object, is stable in operation, and is adaptable to a variety of conditions, meanwhile being effective under such conditions.

Broadly stated, the invention is in combination with a vehicle, and comprises apparatus for working a layer of workable material which makes up the upper covering layer of a road, as the vehicle is driven forwardly over the road. Such apparatus comprises means associated with the forward end of the vehicle for lifting the upper layer of material, and means associated with the vehicle rearwardly of the lifting means for pulverizing the lifted upper layer of material. Means are associated with the vehicle rearwardly of the pulverizing means for distributing the pulverized upper layer material generally evenly transversely of the vehicle, so that said lifting means, pulverizing means and distributing means operate in a continuous manner as the vehicle is driven forwardly. The vehicle further includes and is supported by a forward pair of tracks disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus and a rearward pair of tracks disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus, said tracks being rotatable over the surface of the road. Further included are means for selectively increasing and decreasing the distnce between the forward pair of tracks and between the rearward pair of tracks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the vehicle incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but with portions removed;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vehicle; and,

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line IV--IV OF FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Shown in the drawings in the reclaiming vehicle 10 positioned on a road 11, the upper covering layer 13 of which is workable material such as asphalt, tarmacadam, or the like. Such vehicle includes a frame assembly l2 and is supported by a forward pair of tracks 14, 16, and a rearward pair of tracks 18, 20. Associated with the forward end of the vehicle 10 is a hooded infra-red heater 22. Such heater 22 is connected to frame assembly 12 by a cylinder 24. A tank 26 is fixed to the forward part of the vehicle 10 and is used as an asphalt storage and supply tank. A link 28 interconnects heater 22 with tank 26. It will be seen that, by extending and retracting cylinder 24, the heater 22 may be adjusted upwardly and downwardly relative to the road 11 to vary the distance therebetween. The application of heat to the upper layer of asphalt l3 softens such upper layer 13 so that it is more workable, the cylinder 24 providing that the distance between the heater 22 and upper layer of asphalt 13 is correct for proper heating and softening thereof.

A rotary cutter 30 is associated with the vehicle 10, being fixed to frame assembly 12 rearwardly of the heater 22. The cutter 30 is disposed transversely of the vehicle 10, and the cutting blades 32 thereof cut the heated upper layer of asphalt 13 to thereby lift the upper layer of asphalt 13, the heated upper layer of asphalt 13 being presented to the cutter 30 as the vehicle 10 is driven forwardly.

Associated with the vehicle 10 rearwardly of the cutter 30, being fixed to frame assembly 12, is a pugmill 34 including longitudinal rotating members 35 each having mounted therein a plurality of radially spaced blades 36 for pulverizing the lifted upper layer. Such lifted asphalt is pushed up a ramp 38 adjacent to and rearwardly of the cutter 30 and is presented to the pulverizing means 34 as the vehicle 10 is driven forward. The pugmill 34 is heated by means well known, so that the asphalt being pulverized thereby is heated, making it easier to work. Asphalt oils are supplied from tank 26 to the asphalt being pulverized.

Associated with the vehicle 10 rearwardly of the pugmill 34 is a spreader screw 40 disposed transversely of the vehicle 10. Such spreader screw 40 distributes the pulverized asphalt across the road. 11, such pulverized asphalt having been presented to the spreader screw 40 as the vehicle 10 is driven forwardly. Such spreader screw 40 spreads the pulverized asphalt generally evenly transversly of the vehicle 10. The spreader screw 40 is disposed on a rear link 42 pivotally fixed to frame assembly 12, and rear link 42 is connected to frame assembly 12 by cylinder 44, so that the spreader screw 40 may be moved upwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle 10 so that the: height thereof relative to the vehicle 10 may be chosen. Through such means, spreader screw 40- may be made to operate in an efficient manner.

Leveling means 46 are associated with the vehicle 10 rearwardly of the spreader screw 40. Such leveling means 46 include vibrating and heating means 48. The leveling means include adjustment means 50 interconnecting the leveling means with rear link 42, so that the leveling means 46 may be moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the vehicle 10. Leveling means 46 generally evenly level the pulverized distributed asphalt presented thereto as the vehicle is driven forwardly, the adjustment means 50 allowing a choice of level material height relative to the vehicle 10. The vibrating and heating means 48 aid in such leveling.

It is to be understood that the fuel for the various heating implements is supplied thereto from a propane storage tank 52 fixed to the rear of the vehicle 10.

The actual working apparatus 54 of the vehicle is made up of heater 22, cutter 30, pugmill 34, spreader screw 40, and leveling means 46, and the structure associated therewith. It should be clear from the above description that the apparatus 54 operates in a continuous manner as the vehicle 10 is driven forwardly.

It should also be understood that the vehicle 10 use is not limited to working on asphalt or tarmacadam, but can be used with any workable road material of this type.

The tracks 14, 16 are disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus 54, and the tracks 18, 20 are also disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus 54. The tracks 14, l6, 18, 20 are rotatable over the surface of the road 11, and means are included for driving them, and thus the vehicle 10, as is well known. Arms 60, 62, 64, 66 have ends pivotally fixed to the frame assembly 12, and thus pivotally fixed relative to the vehicle 10. The opposite ends of arms 60, 62, 64, 66 are pivotally fixed to the tracks 14, 16, 18, 20 respectively, as shown. The arms 60, 62, 64, 66 extend generally forwardly of the vehicle 10. Cylinders 68, 70, 72, 74 interconnect the frame assembly 12 with the arms 60, 62, 64, 66, respectively, so that extension of any cylinder pivots the arm associated therewith outwardly of the vehicle 10, and retraction of any cylinder pivots the arm associated therewith inwardly of the vehicle 10. It will be seen that extending cylinders 68, 70 selectively increases the distance between the tracks l4, l6, and retraction of cylinders 68, 70 selectively decreases the distance between tracks l4, 16. Likewise, the extension of cylinders 72, 74 selectively increases the distance between tracks 18, 20 and retraction of cylinders 72, 74 selectively decreases the distance between the tracks 18, 20.

Cylinders 76, 78, 80, 82 pivotally extend from frame assemlby l2 and are associated with tracks 14, l6, 18, 20 so that upon chosen extension and retraction of these cylinders, proper track alignment may be maintained and the vehicle 10 may be properly steered thereby.

Thus, the stance of the vehicle 10 may be easily and conveniently altered, insuring that the vehicle 10 is extremely stable in operation, and may be adapted to a variety of conditions, meanwhile insuring that the tracks will not interfere with the reworking apparatus 54 of the vehicle 10.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vehicle, apparatus for working a layer of work able asphalt or the like which make up the upper covering layer of a road, as the vehicle is driven forwardly over the road, said apparatus comprising: infra-red heating means associated with the forward end of the vehicle for heating the upper layer of asphalt to a soft and more workable condition; rotating cutting means associated with the vehicle and disposed transversely thereof rearwardly of the heating means for cutting the heated upper layer of asphalt, whereby the upper layer of asphalt is lifted; means associated with the vehicle rearwardly of the cutting means for pulverizing the lifted asphalt; a spreader screw associated with the vehicle and disposed transversely thereof rearwardly of the pulverizing means for distributing the pulverized asphalt across the road; and, leveling means associated with the vehicle rearwardly of the spreader screw for generally evenly leveling the distributed asphalt, werein the apparatus further comprises means for heating the pulverizing means to thereby heat said asphalt being pulverized.

2.- The vehicle of claim 1 werein the apparatus further comprises means for vibrating and heating the leveling means as said leveling means levels the distributed asphalt.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adjusting the infra-red heating means upwardly and downwardly relative to the road to vary the distance therebetween.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adjusting the leveling means upwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle so that the height of the leveled material relative to the ve-- hicle may be chosen.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adding oil to the asphalt being pulverized.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adjusting the spreader screw upwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle so that the height thereof relative to the vehicle may be chosen.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes and is supported by a forward pair of members disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus and a rearward pair of members disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus, said members being rotable over the surface of the road, and further comprising means for selectively increasing and decreasing the distance between the forward pair of members, and for selectively increasing and decreasing the distance between the rearward pair of members.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7 wherein the means for selectively increasing and decreasing said distances comprise (i) four arms, one arm associated with each member, each arm having one end pivotally fixed relative to the vehicle and the other end pivotally fixed to its associated member, the pivoting of the arms outwardly of the vehicle increasing the distances between the respective pairs of members, thepivoting of the arms inwardly of the vehicle decreasing the distances between the respective pairs of members, and (ii) cylinder means associated with each arm to provide such pivoting of the arms.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the arms extend generally forwardly of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein each member comprises an endless track. 

1. In a vehicle, apparatus for working a layer of workable asphalt or the like which make up the upper covering layer of a road, as the vehicle is driven forwardly over the road, said apparatus comprising: infra-red heating means associated with the forward end of the vehicle for heating the upper layer of asphalt to a soft and more workable condition; rotating cutting means associated with the vehicle and disposed transversely thereof rearwardly of the heating means for cutting the heated upper layer of asphalt, whereby the upper layer of asphalt is lifted; means associated with the vehicle rearwardly of the cutting means for pulverizing the lifted asphalt; a spreader screw associated with the vehicle and disposed transversely thereof rearwardly of the pulverizing means for distributing the pulverized asphalt across the road; and, leveling means associated with the vehicle rearwardly of the spreader screw for generally evenly leveling the distributed asphalt, werein the apparatus further compriseS means for heating the pulverizing means to thereby heat said asphalt being pulverized.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1 werein the apparatus further comprises means for vibrating and heating the leveling means as said leveling means levels the distributed asphalt.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adjusting the infra-red heating means upwardly and downwardly relative to the road to vary the distance therebetween.
 4. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adjusting the leveling means upwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle so that the height of the leveled material relative to the vehicle may be chosen.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adding oil to the asphalt being pulverized.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for adjusting the spreader screw upwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle so that the height thereof relative to the vehicle may be chosen.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes and is supported by a forward pair of members disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus and a rearward pair of members disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus, said members being rotable over the surface of the road, and further comprising means for selectively increasing and decreasing the distance between the forward pair of members, and for selectively increasing and decreasing the distance between the rearward pair of members.
 8. The vehicle according to claim 7 wherein the means for selectively increasing and decreasing said distances comprise (i) four arms, one arm associated with each member, each arm having one end pivotally fixed relative to the vehicle and the other end pivotally fixed to its associated member, the pivoting of the arms outwardly of the vehicle increasing the distances between the respective pairs of members, the pivoting of the arms inwardly of the vehicle decreasing the distances between the respective pairs of members, and (ii) cylinder means associated with each arm to provide such pivoting of the arms.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the arms extend generally forwardly of the vehicle.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein each member comprises an endless track. 